Maggie's Farm

A cool plant for those of us who live north of regular southern Hibiscus-land. It is aka Rose Mallow.

They produce large, dramatic, July-Oct blooms, die back in the winter and return slowly - then quickly - from their large, deep, and study roots in Spring. Full sun, and water. If you like cottage-door (biennial) Hollyhocks, these are similar but reliably perennial, and just as popular with butterflies and hummingbirds.

Some varietals grow 3-4' high in a bushy way, others 5-7' high in a hollyhock style.

(This is not to disparage Hollyhock-lovers. I do understand. Everybody's grandma had them at the back door and they are a sentimental favorite, same as Delphiniums.)

A northern shrub, Rose of Sharon, has similar-looking blossoms, but it's a real shrub, not a "flower".